Paulo Dybala Leads Ex Juventus Stars in Publicly Backing Paul Pogba After Doping Ban

• Paul Pogba was handed a four-year ban for alleged doping
• The Frenchman said he would appeal the sentence
• Several sporting superstars publicly showed him support

Paul Pogba was shown immense support from across the sporting world, moments after he was slapped with a four-year doping ban.

The Frenchman’s fate was sealed after Italy's National Anti-Doping Tribunal (TNA) accepted of the Anti-Doping Prosecutor's Office’s request to hand the ban.

Pogba, 30, was provisionally suspended in September 2023 after a routine drug test on August 20 found elevated levels of testosterone in his system.

Since the ban started when Pogba initially tested positive for the substance, he is set to serve a ban until August 2027, per Sky Sports.

Pogba releases statement

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Moments after the ban was made public, the 2018 World Cup winner took to social media to confirm he would make an appeal at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

Pogba described the verdict as “incorrect”, adding that he would never deliberately take performance-enhancing substances, which are illegal under the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA).

"When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations,” his statement read.

Dybala shows support

Following his post, Pogba received backing from Roma star Paulo Dybala, who enjoyed success with the Frenchman during his first stint at Juventus.

Dybala took to the comment section to say, “I love you so much brother.” In an admirable show of support.

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov also reacted by ‘liking’ Pogba’s post and sharing a prayer emoji.

Other former Juventus stars, Leandro Paredes and Juan Cuadrado, also left heart emojis to show solidarity.

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Pogba for Juvenntus this season

Since returning to Juventus in 2022, Pogba’s career has been plagued with different issues, with injuries being the most common theme.

Last season, he played a total of 108 minutes over six games in the Serie A.

This season, he only featured in games against Bologna and Empoli, playing a total of 51 minutes before his provisional suspension.

Serie A top scorers

Still in the Serie A , Sports Brief reported on the top scorers in the Italian top flight, with Lautaro Martinez leading the line.

Last season’s top scorer Victor Osimhen is in fourth place in the race with 11 goals from 15 games.

Martinez’s closest rival is Juventus star, Dusan Vlahovic, who has 15 goals in 23 Serie A games.